Covering apparatus for opening of underground pipeline or box

ABSTRACT

A covering apparatus includes a seat assembly and a cover. The seat assembly includes at least a seat with a plurality of flights on an internal side. Each of the flights includes a plurality of steps. The cover includes, on a lower side along an edge, a plurality of flights corresponding to the flights of the seat. Each of the flights of the cover includes a plurality of steps corresponding to the steps of each of the flights of the seat. Various combinations of the steps of each of the flights of the cover can be positioned on related combinations of the steps of each of the flights of the seat so that the cover can be positioned on various levels on the seat.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an opening of an underground pipeline or box and, more particularly, to a covering apparatus for such an opening. The covering apparatus includes an adjustable height based on paving. Moreover, the covering apparatus can be assembled effectively regarding time and labor.

2. Related Prior Art

A covering apparatus is used for an opening of a sewer, a tap water pipeline, or an underground pipeline or box for devices for fire fighting, telecommunication or electric power in order to control the access thereto of personnel and equipment. A typical covering apparatus includes a hollow seat, annular or rectangular, and a cover installed on the hollow seat. In use, the covering apparatus is secured to the top of the sewer, pipeline or box. The cover must be flush with paving in order to keep the paving smooth.

When the covering apparatus is installed initially, the cover can be flush with the paving since it is so designed. However, because there is no design for adjusting the height of the covering apparatus, if the paving is renewed, or the sewer, pipeline or box is remade, a level difference will occur between the cover and the paving. A pit occurs in the paving. This is particularly so in the country where the paving is often renewed by providing a 10-cm layer of asphalt while the height of the covering apparatus cannot be adjusted. Generally, pavers make a slope descending to the cover. Yet, the pit still exists and causes pedestrians, riders and drivers to bump over it, and sometimes causes traffic accidents. The pedestrians, riders and drivers are endangered.

To solve the above-mentioned problem, the pavers dig the covering apparatus, and replace the sewer, pipeline or box with longer one or lift the box. This however demands a lot of time and labor. Furthermore, the road must be closed and the traffic is jammed. Alternatively, the hollow seat is replaced with higher one. However, as the hollow seat is not broken, such replacement causes unnecessary waste and increases the cost of public works. Alternatively, to reduce the working hours or the cost, some pavers provide a layer of asphalt on the cover. That is, the cover is concealed. Hence, a large area of the paving has to be broken in order to find the cover. Such a finding process demands a lot of labor and time. This means a high cost of maintenance or repair. This could mean loss of property or life in an emergency.

The conventional covering apparatus fails to provide proper solutions to the problems such as the un-adjustable height, the demand for time and labor. The traffic safety is affected, and the cost is increased.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An objective of the covering apparatus according to the present invention is to increase the safety of pedestrians, riders and drivers by providing a covering apparatus with a height adjustable based on paving.

Another objective of the covering apparatus according to the present invention is to provide a covering apparatus with a height adjustable easily and effectively regarding labor and time.

According to the present invention, a covering apparatus includes a seat assembly and a cover for closing the seat assembly. The seat assembly includes at least a seat with a plurality of flights on an internal side. Each of the flights includes a plurality of steps. The cover includes, on a lower side along an edge, a plurality of flights corresponding to the flights of the seat. Each of the flights of the cover includes a plurality of steps corresponding to the steps of each of the flights of the seat. Various combinations of the steps of each of the flights of the cover can be positioned on related combinations of the steps of each of the flights of the seat so that the cover can be positioned on various levels on the seat.

Other objectives, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described through description of two embodiments referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a covering apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seat assembly and a cover of the covering apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a seat of the seat assembly and the cover shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the covering apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the covering apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the covering apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a covering apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a covering apparatus for an opening of a sewer, a tap water pipeline, or an underground pipeline or box for devices for fire fighting, telecommunication or electric power according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The covering apparatus includes a seat assembly and a cover 20. The seat assembly includes a seat 10, at least one ring 30 and at least one brace 40.

The covering apparatus will be described in detail referring to FIGS. 1 through 3. The seat 10 is hollow such as annular, rectangular and polygonal. Preferably, the seat 10 is annular.

The seat 10 is hollow such as annular, rectangular or polygonal. Preferably, the seat 10 is annular. Being hollow, the seat 10 defines a space 15 in the center and hence includes an external side and an internal side. The seat 10 includes a flange 11 on and around the external side and a plurality of flights 16 on the internal side evenly. In this embodiment, there are eight flights 16. Each flight 16 includes a plurality of steps. In this embodiment, each flight 16 includes four steps 161, 162, 163 and 164.

Although not shown, the cover 20 is circular corresponding to the seat 10. Thus, the cover 20 can cover the space 15 of the seat 10. The cover 20 includes a plurality of radial ribs on a lower side for reinforcement thereof. The cover 20 defines a plurality of apertures 21 evenly. A corresponding number of hooks can be inserted through the apertures 21 in order to hook the cover 20 by the lower side. Thus, the cover 20 can be lifted by means of such hooks. The cover 20 further defines a plurality of apertures 22. Similar hooks can be inserted through the apertures 22 in order to hook the cover 20 by the lower side. Thus, the cover 20 can be lifted by means of such hooks. Alternatively, a corresponding number of fasteners can be driven through the apertures 22. Thus, the cover can be locked by means of the fasteners. The cover 20 includes an edge 25 and a plurality of flights 26 on the lower side along the edge 25. In this embodiment, there are eight flights 26 corresponding to the flights 16. In this embodiment, each flight 26 includes four steps 261, 262, 263 and 264 corresponding to the steps 161, 162, 163 and 164.

The ring 30 is configured corresponding to the seat 10. The ring 30 defines a space 33 in the center, and hence includes an external side and an internal side. The ring 30 includes a flange 31 on and around the external side, a plurality of groups of screw holes 32 in the flange 31, a plurality of flights 34 on the internal side and a plurality of flights 36 on and along a lower edge 35.

In this embodiment, there are eight flights 34 corresponding to the flights 26. In this embodiment, each flight 34 includes four steps 341, 342, 343 and 344 corresponding to the steps 261, 262, 263 and 264.

In this embodiment, there are eight flights 36 corresponding to the flights 16. In this embodiment, each flight 36 includes four steps 361, 362, 363 and 364 corresponding to the steps 161, 162, 163 and 164.

The number of the braces 40 is identical to the number of the groups of the screw holes 32. In this embodiment, there are four groups of the screw holes 32. Hence, there are four braces 40. Each brace 40 includes a wall, an upper flange on the wall, a lower flange on the wall and at least one aperture 41 in the upper flange. In this embodiment, each brace 40 includes two apertures 41 corresponding to two screw holes 32 in each group.

In assembly, the cover 20 is positioned on the ring 30 that is positioned on the seat 10. Fasteners 45 are driven to the flange 11 through the screw holes 32 and the apertures 41. Thus, the flange 11 is abutted against the lower flange of each brace 40, and the flange 31 is abutted against the upper flange of each brace 40.

Referring to FIG. 3, the seat assembly only includes the seat 10 when the covering apparatus is just installed. The seat 10 is installed on the ground around the opening. The cover 20 is positioned on the seat 10. Each step 261 is positioned on a related step 161, each step 262 on a related step 162, each step 263 on a related step 163, and each step 264 on a related step 164.

The road on which the covering apparatus is installed may be paved again and the surface thereof may be raised. In this case, the cover 20 may be raised relative to the seat 10 referring to FIG.4. The seat 10 is rotated relative to the seat 10. Thus, each step 261 is positioned on a related step 162, each step 262 on a related step 163, and each step 263 on a related step 164.

The road may be paved again and the surface thereof may be raised. In this case, the cover 20 may be raised relative to the seat 10. The seat 10 is rotated relative to the seat 10. Thus, each step 261 is positioned on a related step 163, and each step 262 on a related step 164.

The road may be paved again and the surface thereof may be raised. In this case, the cover 20 may be raised relative to the seat 10. The seat 10 is rotated relative to the seat 10. Thus, each step 261 is positioned on a related step 164.

The road may be paved again and the surface thereof may be raised. In this case, the cover 20 may be raised relative to the seat 10 by providing the ring 30 between them referring to FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ring 30 is positioned on the seat 10. The ring 30 may be positioned on different levels relative to the seat 10. On the first level, each step 361 is positioned on a related step 161, each step 362 on a related step 162, each step 363 on a related step 163, and each step 364 on a related step 164. On the second level, each step 361 is positioned on a related step 162, each step 362 on a related step 163, and each step 363 on a related step 164. On the third level, each step 361 is positioned on a related step 163, and each step 362 on a related step 164. On the fourth level, each step 361 is positioned on a related step 164.

Referring to FIG. 6, the cover 20 is positioned on the ring 30. The cover 20 may be positioned on different levels relative to the ring 30. On the first level, each step 261 is positioned on a related step 341, each step 262 on a related step 342, each step 263 on a related step 343, and each step 264 on a related step 344. On the second level, each step 261 is positioned on a related step 342, each step 262 on a related step 343, and each step 263 on a related step 344. On the third level, each step 261 is positioned on a related step 343, and each step 262 on a related step 344. On the fourth level, each step 261 is positioned on a related step 344.

To install the ring 30 on the seat 10 firmly, the braces 40 and the fasteners 45 are used as described above. With the ring 30 on different levels relative to the seat 10, the wall of each brace 40 will accordingly be made with different heights.

Referring to FIG. 7, shown is a covering apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in a few things. Firstly, the seat 10 does not include the flights 16 on the internal side. Secondly, the ring 30 does not include the flights 36 on the lower edge 35. Hence, the ring 30 can be installed on a conventional seat like the seat 10 shown in FIG. 7, and an existing seat can be included in the covering apparatus according to the present invention, thus saving costs related to making and using the covering apparatus according to the present invention.

In alternative embodiment, the flights 26 may be omitted while the flights 16 are maintained. Thus, an existing cover can be included in the covering apparatus according to the present invention, thus saving costs related to making and using the covering apparatus according to the present invention.

With the covering apparatus according to the present invention, the cover 20 can be raised relative to the seat 10 as the surface of the road is repaved and raised so that the cover 20 is flush with the surface of the road conveniently and inexpensively.

The present invention has been described via detailed illustration of some embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims. 

1. A covering apparatus comprising: a seat assembly comprising at least a seat comprising a plurality of flights on an internal side, each of the flights comprising a plurality of steps; and a cover comprising, on a lower side along an edge, a plurality of flights corresponding to the flights of the seat, each of the flights of the cover comprising a plurality of steps corresponding to the steps of each of the flights of the seat, wherein various combinations of the steps of each of the flights of the cover are positioned on related combinations of the steps of each of the flights of the seat so that the cover is positioned on various levels on the seat.
 2. The covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein both of the seat and the cover comprise at least three flights.
 3. The covering apparatus according to claim 2 wherein both of the seat and the cover comprise eight flights.
 4. The covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the flights of both of the seat and the cover comprises at least two steps.
 5. The covering apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of the flights of both of the seat and the cover comprises four steps.
 6. The covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cover defines a plurality of apertures through which hooks can be inserted for hooking the cover by a lower side.
 7. The covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cover defines a plurality of apertures through which fasteners can be inserted for securing the cover.
 8. The covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the seat assembly comprises at least one ring positioned between the seat and the cover, the ring comprising, on and along a lower edge, a plurality of flights corresponding to the flights of the seat and, on an internal side, a plurality of flights corresponding to the flights of the cover.
 9. The covering apparatus according to claim 8 wherein both of the seat and the ring comprise at least three flights.
 10. The covering apparatus according to claim 8 wherein both of the ring and the cover comprise at least three flights.
 11. The covering apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each of the flights of both of the seat and the ring comprises at least two steps.
 12. The covering apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each of the flights of both of the ring and the cover comprises at least two steps.
 13. The covering apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the seat comprises a flange on an external side, wherein the ring comprises, on an internal side, a flange corresponding to the flange of the seat, wherein the seat assembly comprises at least one brace for positioning the ring on the seat firmly.
 14. The covering apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the seat assembly comprises at least one fastener for helping the brace clamping the flange of the seat and the flange of the ring.
 15. A covering apparatus comprising: a seat assembly comprising a seat and at least one ring positioned on the seat, the ring comprising a plurality of flights on an internal side, each of the flights comprising a plurality of steps; and a cover comprising, on a lower side along an edge, a plurality of flights corresponding to the flights of the ring, each of the flights of the cover comprising a plurality of steps corresponding to the steps of each of the flights of the ring, wherein various combinations of the steps of each of the flights of the cover are positioned on related combinations of the steps of each of the flights of the ring so that the cover is positioned on various levels on the ring.
 16. The covering apparatus according to claim 15 wherein both of the ring and the cover comprise at least three flights.
 17. The covering apparatus according to claim 15 wherein each of the flights of both of the ring and the cover comprises at least two steps.
 18. The covering apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the seat comprises a flange on an external side, wherein the ring comprises, on an internal side, a flange corresponding to the flange of the seat, wherein the seat assembly comprises at least one brace for positioning the ring on the seat firmly.
 19. The covering apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the seat assembly comprises at least one fastener for helping the brace clamping the flange of the seat and the flange of the ring. 